It's a Go!!!

OK - the paper work is done and the tickets are booked!!!! We are officially leaving for Uganda on Wednesday January 7th!!! We are crazy excited and scared to death all at the same time - hope that's normal - so remember us in your prayers!!!

We will keep you updated while we are on our trip.

Uganda here we come!!!

Board Game Mania

The boys received two board games for Christmas - Monopoly and Sorry - I think these are two of MY favorite gifts this year. I LOVE to play board games - I didn't realize I love to play them, but now that the boys have them, I'm always asking them if they want to play. Unfortunately for me, they also got the Wii, so they aren't as interested in Sorry and Monopoly. So if any wants to play a rousing game of Monopoly - give me a call!!

Israel - Day #6

Have you missed me? Sorry, I haven't blogged for the last couple of days, but we haven't had an internet connection. Let me start with answering Kara's question - Yes, you can get a diet Coke but I haven't seen any fountain ones since we left the Sea of Galilee. I wish they had a 7-11 here!

We have seen so many things in the last 3 days - my head is spinning. I can't even count the number of Bible stories that we've actually seen the locations of - touched the same rocks, walked on the same streets, etc. We are still posting pictures from each day, so don't forget to check them out. I know many of them are hard to understand without an explanation, but some of them are self-explanatory, especially if you read the signs tha go with them.

We ended our day today at the Western Wall or the "Wailing" Wall. The Jews pray at the Western Wall because it is the closest location to the Holy of Holys on the Temple Mount. Because they are not allowed on the Temple Mount - the muslims are in possession of the Temple Mount - this is as close as they can get to where the Holy of Holys would have been - and to where God's presence was in the temple.

It was an awesome experience to sit within feet of the wall - the actual wall that was there in the day of Jesus - and then to go up to the wall and pray and put the prayers I had brought with me in the wall. I was surrounded by women on each side - young and old - praying to God. Some of them prayed in silence, others out loud. Some stood still, while others rocked back and forth "Love the Lord your God with all your body, mind and strength" Deuteronomy 6.

Words really can't express everything I have experienced here in Israel. Shalom!

Random thoughts about Israel

1. Mc Donald's does not have a Dollar Menu here - it cost us $15.00 to buy dinner tonight.
2. Nazareth is up on a hill and very rocky.
3. People use their car horns to communicate.
4. You can't get cheese on a hamburger here - it's not kosher.
5. The pigeons have big poop - trust me, I was blessed by a Nazarene bird today - down my shirt, arm, hand, etc.
6. You don't want to live near a mosque. The muslims pray 5 times a day - over a loud speaker - it's really loud.

Israel - Day #3

Do you know what this is? It is a feeding trough and it's thousands of years old - I'm serious. It's also known as a manger. This is our guide Elan, explaining that this is most likely what Jesus was put in after he was born. Wood, like we see in our manger scenes, was not used as frequently as stone because it was very expensive and stone was very plentiful. Here's a thought for you... the "Bread of Life" was placed in a "feeding trough" when he was born - there's some symbolism for you.

One of my favorite things from today was sitting in a synagogue in Nazareth and reading Luke 4, beginning with verse 14. The synagogue is believed to be where Jesus actually said the words you read in Luke 4 - "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor..." All I can really say is "WOW!" I am definitely at a loss for words when it comes to explaining most of my experiences here in Israel.

Israel - Day #2

Today we visited Acco - a port on the Mediterranean Sea, Mt. Carmel and Ceasarea. This is a picture from the top of Mount Carmel. It was absolutely beautiful and you could see for miles. The picture is taken facing the west with the Mediterranean in the distance. While we were up there, Ed read from I Kings 18 - story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. This is where Elijah calls down fire from heaven after the prophets of Baal are unable to call fire down from their god. The prophets danced and cut themselves in an effort to get Baal's attention, but nothing happened. We were reminded of how the God of heaven is always there for us, listening for our voice. He's never too busy or out of reach. Elijah called out to God with a quiet confidence, knowing that God would answer him. It was a great time of reflection.

We also visited Ceasarea - a city that Herod created for himself on the coast of the Mediterranean. It's no wonder he picked this location! It is like a tropical resort. The remains of his palace sit right on the waters edge. Ceasarea is also where Paul was imprisoned.

If you would like to see the pictures we have taken so far, you can go to HERE.

Israel - Day #1

I am overwhelmed, but in a good way! Today was awesome and full of great sites. We started the day at the Mount of Beatitudes. That's the Mt. behind me where you see the line of trees on the ridge. The picture was taken as we were traveling along the coast of the Sea of Galilee in a boat similar to what the fishermen in Jesus' day would have used. My favorite part of the day was our visit to Capernaum. Capernaum is where Jesus lived for a while, ministered and healed people toward the beginning of his ministry. It was a great time of reflecting and experiencing a city where Jesus actually lived. We stood in the synagogue where he preached to the people and saw the remains of the house of Peter's mother-in-law. What a day! There is so much more I could say, but I am too tired and I'm off to bed. Tomorrow I will post a link - if you would like to see the pictures we have taken so far. Until tomorrow - Shalom!

Off To Israel

Hi Everybody! I'm off to Israel! I can't believe the trip is finally here. You know I'm a terrible blogger, but I have promised to blog at least a couple of times while I am there. So.... check my blog in a couple of days and see what we're up to in the "Holy Land".

THE FINISH LINE

We made it!! There's nothing better than making it across the finish line!! I wish I could say the triathalon was easy or not as hard as I thought it would be, but that would be a lie. It was definitely the hardest physical "thing" I've ever done, second only to labor. Kristy did a great job of journaling our experience on her blog - visit her site for all of the details. It's strange how proud I feel of myself - that I actually said I'd do it, actually trained for it and then actually finished it without dying!!! I'm not sure I've ever felt this kind of overwhelming sense of accomplishment before - it's weird and wonderful - all at the same time. All this being said, I couldn't have done it without Kristy. She "carried" me through the run - verbally. She was constantly talking us through it, encouraging me to go a little further, telling me I could make it and helping me hold on until the end. So I have to agree with her when I say it was a great day and great accomplishment, but it was made so much sweeter by sharing it all with a friend.

And just so you know... transition went great - my pants stayed in place the whole time!!!

Check out our race pictures at Opix photography - just search by our names.

What is WRONG with me???

I am some kind of freak show right now! In the last 10 minutes I have been in and out of several work out clothes - trying to find something to wear for the triathalon on Sunday. Right now I'm sitting at the computer in my wetsuit - trying to decide if it is comfortable and if I can actually move my arms in it to actually swim. I've tried taking it off as fast as possible in hopes that my pants won't actually come off at the same time - which is a huge possibility!! I've also tried to explain to Jim that "cellulitiness" is actually a word as I show him several outfits that do not help my "cellulitiness". What is WRONG with me and why did I ever think that a triathalon was a GREAT idea!?!?!?!?!

First Day of Third Grade

Here he is, ready for the first day of school! Caleb started Literacy First Charter School today - which we have been on the waiting list for two years now. So, needless to say we were very excited when we got a call last week that Caleb was in. Caleb wasn't quite as excited as we were, but by the time we finished school shopping and visiting his class, God had done a mighty work and Caleb was actually saying he was "excited" to start school.

Last night, he decided that a warm bath or shower would be a good plan in the morning before school to help him "relax". Where do they get this stuff!!! So, the morning went flawlessly. After a warm bath and a waffle he was ready for school.

I will update you later on how his first day at a new school went.

We Got Nothin

This is what happens when two women stand around on a Saturday afternoon and say, "We got nothin". Meaning - we've got nothing to do!!! Kristy came over on Saturday with her kids to swim and hang out - Jim and Bret were both out of town. When we finished swimming, we came in the house and didn't know what to do with ourselves. So.... as we stood in my kitchen I said, "I want to cut that pine tree down". Next thing I know, Kristy and I are outside sawing down the pine tree that was starting to take over my driveway. Moral to the story... women standing around with nothing to do - really isn't true - we always have something to do!!!! Kristy and I laughed and laughed about whether or not Jim would notice we cut the tree down - pretty hard to miss the two trash cans overflowing with pine tree!

The Tooth Fairy Doesn't Work Weekends

I'm a terrible mother!!! Wait, Jim's terrible too because I asked him to remind me and he didn't. So, Joshua lost his first official tooth - the natural way - yesterday. We were all so excited and we made a REALLY big deal about the Tooth Fairy coming. Guess what happened??? The stupid Tooth Fairy went to bed and forgot to visit Joshua Hammond. When Joshua woke up in the morning he brought Jim in to look and see that the Tooth Fairy had not come. Jim, in his wisdom says, "The Tooth Fairy must not work on the weekends" which Joshua seemed OK with and went about playing as usual. So PLEEEEEEEEEASE pray that the Tooth Fairy isn't a flake tonight - we need her to visit in a BIG way!!!

Compared to the Feldberg house - where they have a rockin Tooth Fairy that writes letters - the Hammond Tooth Fairy sucks!!!

MOMENT TO REMEMBER

Summer is a wonderful time - most of the time! Caleb and Joshua take a few days to get into a rhythm together when there is a break from school. They usually spend several days getting on each others nerves and then mysteriously and wonderfully, they become the best of friends. This picture was taken a week or so into summer vacation. Caleb had decided he was going to teach Joshua how to skateboard and Joshua was all for it. They went in the back yard and Caleb helped him get on his gear and then he helped him balance on the board - he never did really MOVE on the board, but Joshua was very proud of himself, nevertheless. Moments later, I looked out the back door to see them sitting on Caleb's board reading a book about skateboard ramp tricks and talking about skateboarding off the back patio steps. I laughed to myself and quickly got the camera to savor this sweet brother moment.

Good-Bye to Willy

So, I'm not sure where to begin... what seemed like a few days away camping turned into tragedy.

We went to Doheny to go camping on Sunday and when my in-laws went to feed the dog on Monday morning they couldn't find him. They finally discovered he was in the side/gated area of the back yard - which we aren't sure how he got there. This wouldn't have been a problem except for the fact that I have been trying to "eliminate" a squirrel problem in our backyard. When Willy was in the side yard he ate all of the squirrel poison that I had put back there. I say "all", but "all" was probably only a half of a cup. I really wasn't too worried about him - it was a small amount and he's a pretty big dog. Until...

Tuesday morning when my in-laws went over to feed Willy he barely acknowledged them. This is not normal, Willy would never pass up an opportunity to play ball!!! So, when Jim went home that morning for a meeting he found Willy laying at the bottom of the steps - barely responsive and he died within the next 30 minutes.

So, while we were camping I had to tell the boys that Willy died. Poor Joshua cried and cried and kept saying, "Maybe Daddy will bring me a brown dog". Caleb, hasn't really cried or said too much about it. When I told him that Jim was taking him to the doctor because he was sick he said, "If Willy dies I will cry like a baby!" but he haasn't done that yet. For me, I kind of miss him, but mostly I feel guilty. Guilty, that I didn't really like him. Anyway, here's to Willy - the dog that would never pass up an opportunity to play ball!!!!

Adios!

Well, Kristy has been harassing me to post - so here it is!

Today was the last MOPS meeting of the year and also my last meeting as
coordinator. I have to say it feels good!!! I'm tired!! I'm done!! I'm
ready to move on!! This being said, I have to also say I'm a little bit
sad. MOPS has provided a great network and community of friends for me.
I've been stretched, I've grown - personally and spiritually. I've had
some very difficult conversations over the past two years, but I
wouldn't trade those experiences.

So, as I say "ADIOS" to MOPS I'm a little happy and a little sad. Not a big surprise, but there it is.

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Irritable!!!

I don't even know if anyone will read this it's been so long since I've blogged, but here it goes...

I worked today and I'm irritable!!! I saw a 17 year old patient today that I can pretty much
call a "pot head". I did pretty well with her until she told me that
though she would never smoke cigarettes again she would probably smoke
pot again after the baby is born. Too which I responded, kindly but
firmly, "Is that really the best decision you can make for your baby?"
I said a lot more, but I won't bore you. I ended my "speech" with, "Can you tell I didn't like your answer??"

I'm
usually pretty subdued. I encourage them to quit, I give them "the big
scary talk" and then I usually move on, but not today. Today, all I
could think of were all of the people I know - good people - who would
make great parents - who can't get pregnant - who suffer withinfertility
year after year - or the families who loose children or have babies
with disabilities when all they did was take excellent care of
themselves when they were pregnant.

This is one of those things
I always think I will ask God about when I get the chance and then I
realize I won't care when I actually get there. Oh well, so it is. That
was my day - kind of a bummer - sorry.

Late Bloomer

I am definitely a late bloomer when it comes to sports. I would never
answer, "Are you athletic?" with a "yes". I swam on the swim team in
high school, but other than that, the only sports I played were in
elementary school - I think my parents were just trying to get me to
exercise!!! But, now at the age of 36, I seem to be becoming an athlete
- to some extent. I'm not as thin as I'd like to be, but I'm definitely
in better shape physically than I was 15 years ago. I've started
running, which I still don't enjoy Becky, I swim twice a week, I love
to cycle and now I'm playing softball(only by peer pressure). So, kind
of strange to be taking up all of these different things later in life
than I expected. The great thing is, now that I am older I will try way
more new things than when I was younger - I guess my fear ofembarrassment is getting smaller with my age - which may not be a good thing!! Here's to LATE BLOOMERS!!!!

Parenting Question

So, Joshua saw a bee last Saturday in the backyard and now he is petrified. He's loosing his mind about bees!!! He's wearing long sleeve shirts everyday, he's covering up with his towel to go in the pool and he's talking about bees and what they do, why they sting, etc. every day since. I basically want to yell at him - which isn't a great parenting technique. Any advice on how to handle a 5 year old who doesn't want to go outside because there "might be a bee out there"? Summer should be fun if he keeps it up!